Boston Celtics player No. 2) Marcus Smart
Of all the players mentioned on this list today, Marcus Smart is unequivocally the least likely to be traded between now and Thursday’s deadline.
Having said that, of all the players on the roster who have a chance of being moved (so, exclude Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Robert Williams III), the veteran guard clearly has the highest potential to bring on the most valuable return commodities and, based on some recent speculation, some potential packages could wind up including players and assets that could prove to be of great use for the team.
Perhaps the franchise most often linked to the 27-year-old this season has been the struggling Atlanta Hawks who, of the many areas within their rotation that they must look to address by February 10th, perimeter defense and secondary playmaking outside of Trae Young are seemingly at the forefront of their shopping list.
Without a doubt, Smart would help on both of these fronts.
Of course, the Hawks are by no means the only team rumored to be linked as being interested in the All-Defensive talent’s services, as the Minnesota Timberwolves and even the Dallas Mavericks have both been reportedly looking into the availability of Boston’s lead guard.
As a result of all this interest, hypothetical trade proposals have been flooding the internet with top-flight youngsters from Jalen Brunson to, most notably and more realistically, John Collins being seen heading back to Boston in return for Smart’s services.
Should either of these players be attainable in a trade for the C’s Swiss Army man, it’s almost certain that, at the very least, Stevens and co. will strongly consider pursuing such a move.